Method for integrated pavement marking

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods are provided for filling a groove in a pavement with a groove filling grout. The present invention is particularly useful for forming long-lasting pavement markings, such as lane striping.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/083,786, filed May 1, 1998, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methodsfor pavement marking and, in particular, to apparatus and methods forforming long-lasting pavement marking by filling a groove in thepavement with marking grout.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Currently, most concrete or asphalt pavements are painted ortaped to form pavement markings, such as lane striping, turn arrows,etc. Due to poor wear resistance, these methods necessitate frequentrenewal by reapplying the tape or re-painting the marking atconsiderable expense and effort.

[0004] Another method for marking pavements is to permanently attach areflective element to the pavement. Because these reflectorstypically-protrude significantly above the surface of the pavement, theycan not be used in areas where snow removal is required. Such protrudingelements also disrupt the flat surface of the pavement.

[0005] Still another method involves creating an indentation on a softconcrete road surface, filling the indentation with white mortar andfinishing the surface to provide pavement stripes or other marks.

[0006] In spite of these methods, there remains a need for an apparatusand a method for providing a long-lasting pavement marking. It would beadvantageous to provide a method and apparatus which are efficient, andinvolve a minimal amount of manual labor. It would be advantageous toprovide a method and apparatus for forming pavement markings which arehighly mechanized and automated. It would be advantageous to provide amethod and apparatus for forming pavement markings which includefeedback control of various operations. It would be advantageous toprovide a method and apparatus for forming pavement markings which arerelatively quick in that a high amount of marking can be formed in alimited amount of time. It would be advantageous to provide a method andapparatus for forming pavement markings which are long lasting relativeto paint and tape. It would be advantageous to provide a method andapparatus for forming pavement markings on a formed surface, such ascured concrete or compacted asphalt. It would advantageous to provide amethod and apparatus for forming pavement markings which are applicableunder various weather conditions. It would be advantageous to provide amethod and apparatus for forming pavement markings which results in arelatively smooth pavement surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forminglong-lasting pavement markings. In particular, the present inventionprovides a pavement groove filling method and apparatus which can beused for forming long-lasting markings on pavement.

[0008] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, agrout dispensing apparatus is provided. The grout dispensing apparatusincludes a grout hopper for storing grout, an material gate having openand closed positions operatively connected to the grout hopper fordispensing the grout from the grout hopper into a pavement groove whenthe material gate is in the open position, a side form for confining thegrout substantially within the side boundaries of the pavement groove,and a strike-off pan for leveling the grout in the pavement groove.

[0009] In preferred embodiments, the grout dispensing apparatus caninclude one or more of the following:

[0010] a grout-hopper vibrator for vibrating the grout hopper;

[0011] a grout-hopper grout agitator for maintaining homogeneity of thegrout in the grout hopper;

[0012] a smoothing plate for smoothing the grout surface in the pavementgroove;

[0013] a smoothing-plate vibrator operatively connected to the smoothingplate for vibrating the smoothing plate;

[0014] a visibility-enhancing agent application device for sprayingand/or embedding a visibility-enhancing agent on the grout surface inthe pavement groove;

[0015] a grout-surface air spray device for removing non-embeddedvisibility-enhancing agent from the grout surface in the pavementgroove;

[0016] a curing-agent application device for spraying a curing agentonto the grout surface in the pavement groove;

[0017] a rollable support system having a longitudinal and/ortransversal suspension system;

[0018] a lifting mechanism for lifting the grout dispensing apparatusoff from a pavement surface and returning the apparatus to the pavementsurface; and/or

[0019] a guiding device for guiding the grout dispensing apparatus intoa proper position to fill the pavement groove.

[0020] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, agrout preparation apparatus is provided. The grout preparation apparatusincludes a product hopper for storing a dry particulate material, aproduct dispensing device for dispensing at least a portion of the dryparticulate material from the product hopper, a grout mixer operativelyconnected to the product-dispensing device for mixing the dryparticulate material with a liquid to produce the grout, and a surgehopper operatively connected to the grout mixer for storing the grout.Preferably, the grout preparation apparatus is operatively connectedwith a grout dispensing apparatus.

[0021] In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the groutpreparation apparatus can include one or more of the following:

[0022] a product-hopper vibrator for vibrating the product hopper;

[0023] a product-hopper air pad located in the interior of the producthopper for providing air flow into the product hopper to reduce theamount of agglomeration formation by the dry particulate material;

[0024] a product temperature sensor for determining the temperature ofthe dry particulate material;

[0025] a product heater operatively connected to the product temperaturesensor for heating the dry particulate material;

[0026] a product dispensing device in the form of an auger;

[0027] a liquid storage device operatively connected to the grout mixerfor storing liquid;

[0028] a liquid inlet operatively connected to the liquid storage devicefor supplying liquid to the grout mixer;

[0029] a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of theliquid in the liquid storage device;

[0030] a liquid heater operatively connected to the liquid temperaturesensor for heating the liquid;

[0031] a surge-hopper grout agitator for maintaining homogeneity of thegrout in the surge hopper;

[0032] a surge-hopper grout level sensor, wherein the surge-hopper groutlevel sensor is operatively connected to the grout mixer for controllingthe production of grout; and/or an ultrasonic surge-hopper grout levelsensor.

[0033] Preferably, the grout preparation apparatus further includes agrout dispensing device for dispensing the grout from the surge hopperto the grout hopper of a grout dispensing apparatus. The groutdispensing device can be a peristaltic pump. The grout hopper caninclude a grout-hopper grout level sensor operatively connected to thegrout dispensing device for controlling the grout dispensing device. Thegrout preparation apparatus and/or the grout dispensing apparatus canfurther include a groove clearing air spray device for clearing thepavement groove of debris and/or a mist spray device for spraying watermist into the pavement groove.

[0034] In another embodiment of the present invention, a self-propulsiondevice is provided. The self-propulsion device includes an engine forself-propulsion, a control panel operatively connected to the engine, aswing arm, wherein the swing arm allows placement of the control panelon the right side or the left side of the self-propulsion device, and agrout dispensing apparatus and/or a grout preparation apparatus.

[0035] Preferably, the self-propulsion device includes a speed controldial for controlling the speed of the self-propulsion device and/or asteering device for controlling the direction of travel of theself-propulsion device.

[0036] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, amethod for making a long-lasting pavement marking is provided. Themethod includes the steps of removing a portion of the pavement tocreate a pavement groove, placing grout in the pavement groove, levelingthe grout in the pavement groove to substantially the same level as thepavement, and embedding a visibility-enhancing agent in the grout.Preferably, the pavement groove is cleared of debris before placing thegrout in the groove. Air can be applied to the pavement groove to assistin the removal of debris. Preferably a grout curing agent is applied toaid in the curing of the grout once it is placed in the groove.

[0037] The present invention provides one or more of the followingadvantages:

[0038] a method and apparatus which are efficient, and involve a minimalamount of manual labor;

[0039] a method and apparatus for forming pavement markings which arehighly mechanized and automated;

[0040] a method and apparatus for forming pavement markings whichinclude feedback control of various operations;

[0041] a method and apparatus for forming pavement markings which arerelatively quick in that a high amount of marking can be formed in alimited amount of time;

[0042] a method and apparatus for forming pavement markings which arelong lasting relative to paint and tape;

[0043] a method and apparatus for forming pavement markings on a curedsurface, such as cured concrete or compacted asphalt;

[0044] a method and apparatus for forming pavement markings which areapplicable under various weather conditions; and/or

[0045] a method and apparatus which results in a pavement having arelatively smooth surface after the formation of the pavement markings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a self-propelledpavement groove filling apparatus of the present invention with a groutdispensing apparatus removably attached to a self-propulsion device;

[0047]FIG. 2 is a top view of one embodiment of a self-propelledpavement groove filling apparatus of the present invention with a groutdispensing apparatus removably attached to a self-propulsion device;

[0048]FIG. 3 is a side view of one embodiment of a self-propelledpavement groove filling apparatus of the present invention with a groutdispensing apparatus removably attached to a self-propulsion device;

[0049]FIG. 4 is a front view of a grout preparation apparatus of thepresent invention showing a dry product hopper and a grout mixer;

[0050]FIG. 5 is a top view of a grout preparation apparatus of thepresent invention showing a dry product hopper and a grout mixer;

[0051]FIG. 6 is a side view of a grout preparation apparatus of thepresent invention showing a dry product hopper and a grout mixer;

[0052]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a grout dispensing apparatus ofthe present invention;

[0053]FIG. 8 is a top view of a grout dispensing apparatus of thepresent invention;

[0054]FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a grout dispensing apparatus of thepresent invention;

[0055]FIG. 10 is an end view of a grout dispensing apparatus of thepresent invention;

[0056]FIG. 11 is a side view of a grout dispensing apparatus of thepresent invention;

[0057]FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a grout hopper of the presentinvention; and

[0058]FIG. 13 is an exploded view of an extrusion pan of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059] Unless otherwise stated, the following terms will have thefollowing meanings as used in the present application.

[0060] A “hopper” refers to any receptacle for the storage of material.Preferably, the hopper is funnel- or conical-shaped.

[0061] A “pavement” refers to any paved surface, preferably asphalt orconcrete. Although the pavement need not be completely cured, it shouldbe sufficiently cured or compacted to enable the pavement treatmentapparatus of the present invention to be placed on the pavement surfacewithout causing undesired indentations. Exemplary pavements include, butare not limited to, roads; highways; parking lots; sidewalks; airportrunways, aprons, taxiways and access routes; and floors.

[0062] A “groove” refers to any channel or depression in a pavement.Preferably, the groove has side walls which are relatively perpendicularto the pavement surface, and a bottom surface which is relativelyparallel to the pavement surface, but at a lower level than the pavementsurface. Due to the preferred method of forming the groove, the bottomsurface of the groove is generally of a rough, uneven texture.Preferably, the depth of the groove is from about 0.1 cm to about 1.5cm, more preferably from about 0.2 cm to about 1 cm, and most preferablyfrom about 0.3 cm to about 0.7 cm. The groove can be of any widthsuitable for the desired application. For example, the width for lanestriping will be approximately 10 cm, while the width of a turn signalmay be 1 meter or more.

[0063] A “long-lasting pavement marking” refers to a pavement markingwhich lasts at least about 10 years under normal usage, preferably atleast about 20 years, more preferably at least about 30 years, and mostpreferably for the duration of a useful life of the pavement.

[0064] “Grout” refers to any flowable material, and is preferably amixture of a liquid, such as water, and a dry particulate material, suchas cement. Preferably the grout is a flowable viscous paste which can bepoured into a groove and sets to form a hard long-lasting solid.

[0065] “Homogeneity” of grout refers to a mixture of dry particulatematerial and a liquid where the dry particulate material issubstantially evenly mixed with the liquid, producing a substantiallyhomogeneous mixture.

[0066] A “leveled grout” refers to a grout which has been placed in agroove where the height of the grout is substantially equal to theadjacent pavement surface level.

[0067] The present invention will be described with regard to theaccompanying drawings which assist in illustrating various features ofthe invention. In this regard, the present invention generally relatesto a pavement groove filling apparatus and a method for forming along-lasting pavement marking.

[0068] One embodiment of a pavement groove filling apparatus isgenerally illustrated in FIG. 1. The pavement groove filling apparatus10 includes a grout dispensing apparatus 100 and a grout preparationapparatus 200. The grout dispensing apparatus 100 can be permanentlyattached to the grout preparation apparatus 200, or it can be removablyattached. Preferably, the grout dispensing apparatus 100 is removablyattached to the grout preparation apparatus 200. In this manner, thegrout dispensing apparatus 100 can be positioned on either the left sideor the right side of the grout preparation apparatus 200.

[0069] The grout preparation apparatus 200 includes a product hopper204, a grout mixer 208, and a surge hopper 212. In operation, a dryparticulate material (e.g., a dry precursor of the groove fillingmaterial) is placed in the product hopper 204 until needed. Preferably,the product hopper 204 is large enough to hold a sufficient amount ofthe dry particulate material to avoid frequent or relatively continualaddition of the dry material to the product hopper 204. Preferably, thedry product hopper 204 contains a sight window or a sight tube to allowvisual determination of the amount of dry particulate material presentin the dry product hopper 204.

[0070] The dry particulate material in the product hopper 204 isdispensed into the grout mixer 208 and is mixed with a liquid,preferably water, to produce grout. The amount of water added to thegrout mixer 208 is controlled by the amount of dry particulate materialadded to the grout mixer 208. It should be appreciated that depending ona particular condition one or more additives may also be added, in whichcase the grout mixer 208 can be operatively connected to an additiveinlet (not shown). Preferably, the additive is added separately from thewater or the dry particulate material. Exemplary additives added includewater reducers, grout retardants and/or grout accelerants. Waterreducers reduce the amount of water required to produce the grout, thusmaintaining the ultimate set strength of the grout, without decreasingthe workability of the grout. Grout retardants increase the amount oftime required for the grout to set, and grout accelerants reduce theamount of time required for the grout to set.

[0071] Dispensing of the dry particulate material is performed by amechanical means, such as a pump or an auger. Typically a dry productdispensing auger 216 is used to dispense (or deliver) a relativelyprecise amount of the dry groove filling material to the grout mixer208. Preferably, the dry product dispensing auger 216 includes, a dryproduct feed auger 220, which is located on the bottom of the producthopper 204, and a metering auger 224, which dispenses the dryparticulate material to the grout mixer 208. In operation, the meterauger 224 has been found to be very precise in metering a constant andcontinuous amount of dry material to the grout mixer 208.

[0072] The product hopper 204 can include a product hopper vibrator (notshown) for vibrating the product hopper 204. This vibration of theproduct hopper 204 ensures that substantially all the dry material willfall to the bottom of the product hopper 204, where it is transported tothe grout mixer 208 as needed, without too much adhering to the sidewalls of the product hopper 204. In addition, vibrating the producthopper 204 can also prevent formation of agglomerates.

[0073] Under some conditions, such as when a relatively high amount ofmoisture is present, the dry particulate material may clump, i.e., cakeor form agglomerates. This clumping of the dry particulate material isundesirable because it can lead to a non-homogeneous grout. To reducethe amount of caking, the product hopper 204 can include an air pad (notshown) located in the interior of the product hopper 204. The air padinjects air into the product hopper 204. In particular, the air padinjects air into the dry particulate material. Without being bound byany theory, it is believed that the injection of air reduces caking ofthe material by keeping the particulate material dry. Moreover, the airflow creates a particulate material disturbance which may cause some ofthe agglomerates to break-up. As stated above, the product hoppervibrator can also provide a constant moving motion to the dryparticulate material, thereby reducing the amount of agglomerateformation. The air pad is made of a material having a porous structureto allow air flow into the product hopper 204. However, the pores in theair pad are preferably smaller than the particle size of the dryparticulate material to prevent particles from entering the air pad andrestricting air flow.

[0074] In some cases, the preparation of grout is temperature sensitive.Thus, depending on the ambient temperature, it may be desirable to heatthe dry particulate material in order to form a proper grout within theresidence time in the grout mixer 208. Therefore, the product hopper204, the dry product feed auger 220 and/or the metering auger 224 canalso include a heating element, i.e., a product heater, (not shown) topreheat the dry particulate material to a desired temperature range.Alternatively, the feed auger 220 and/or the metering auger 224 itselfcan be heated to heat the dry particulate material. Moreover, theproduct hopper 204 can further include a temperature sensor (not shown)for determining the temperature of the dry particulate material.Preferably the temperature sensor is located near the transition pointfrom the dry product dispensing device 216 to the grout mixer 208.Preferably, the heating element and the temperature sensor areoperatively connected so that the dry particulate material can be heatedto predetermined or pre-set temperature range automatically. Thisautomatic heating of the dry particulate material can be achieved byconnecting both the heating element and the temperature sensor to acomputer or a similar control device.

[0075] The dry particulate material which is dispensed from the producthopper 204 into the grout mixer 208 is then mixed with water and, ifdesired, one or more additives to produce grout. The grout mixer 208 canbe any device which can mix a solid material with a liquid to producegrout or other type mixture, such as an auger, a rotatable drum, astirrer or other similar mechanical devices. Preferably, the grout mixeris an auger capable of maintaining continuous flow of grout to the surgehopper 212.

[0076] The grout preparation apparatus 200 can also include a water tank228 for storing water (or other liquid) which is mixed with the dryparticulate material to produce grout. The grout preparation apparatus200 can also include a water heater (not shown) for heating the waterthat is supplied to the grout mixer 208. As with heating the dryparticulate material when the ambient temperature is low, heating thewater that is added to the grout mixer 208 provides a production ofgrout having desired characteristics. The water heater can beoperatively connected to the dry product temperature sensor and/or agrout temperature sensor (not shown) for preheating water depending onthe temperature of the dry particulate material and/or the grout.Alternatively, the water tank 228 can also include a separate watertemperature sensor (not shown) for determining the water temperature andfor controlling the water heater. In other words, the temperatures ofthe dry material, the water and/or the resulting grout can all bemonitored, and the temperatures of the dry material and the water can becontrolled by suitable devices to provide a desired grout temperature.

[0077] Water is introduced to the grout mixer 208 through a liquid inlet(not shown) located near the introduction point of the dry particulatematerial. When one or more additives are used in the preparation ofgrout, the additives can be added separately through an additive inlet(not shown). When the grout mixer is an auger, both the dry particulatematerial and water are introduced near the initial or inlet portion ofthe auger. Preferably, the grout mixer 208 is an auger containing areflux section to increase the residence time of the grout, such as anauger model number LSA40 manufactured by Cemen Tech (Indianola, Iowa). A“reflux section” refers to a portion of the grout mixer 208 whereforward motion of the grout toward the surge hopper 212 is substantiallyreduced and the mixing of the grout is increased. The ratio of water tothe dry particulate material is important in making a grout with goodphysical and chemical properties. The liquid inlet in the grout mixer208 can include a control valve (not shown) which can be adjustedmanually or automatically (e.g., via a computer or other similar controldevices) to provide a proper amount of water to the grout mixer 208.Preferably, the control valve provides water to the grout mixer 208through the liquid inlet to within 5% accuracy, preferably within about2% accuracy, and more preferably within about 0.5% accuracy. As theauger (i.e., the grout mixer 208) mixes the dry particulate material,water and additives (if desired or necessary) to produce grout, thegrout travels from one end of the grout mixer 208 to the other. Theauger can also provide a shearing action which facilitates mixing of thedry particulate material and water. The auger can also provide theaction necessary to activate any additive (e.g., polymers) which may beadded separately or are present in the dry particulate material. Use ofpolymers in a grout preparation is discussed in detail below. Althoughonly one product hopper 204 is shown in the figures, it will beappreciated that if separate additives are used, an additive hopper (notshown) may also be present to dispense such additives to the grout mixer208. The grout is then dispensed from the grout mixer 208 and is placedinto the surge hopper 212.

[0078] The grout preparation apparatus 200 can also include a grouttemperature sensor (not shown) for determining the temperature of thegrout and controlling the addition of additives to the grout mixer 208.Moreover, the grout temperature sensor can also be operatively connectedto other devices such as the dry product heater and/or the water heater.Typically, the grout temperature sensor determines the temperature ofthe grout in the surge hopper 212.

[0079] During the start of operation of the grout preparation apparatus200, it may be necessary to adjust the flow rate of water and/or the dryparticulate material to produce grout having a proper physicalcharacteristics such as consistency, flowability, etc. and properchemical characteristic, such as setting time, etc. To prevent grouthaving undesired physical or chemical 20 characteristics from beingplaced into the surge hopper 212, the grout mixer 208 is preferablydesigned to be movable so that it can be moved, e.g., swung, away fromthe surge hopper 212. In this manner, at the start of the operation, thegrout mixer 208 is swung away from the surge hopper and the flow rate ofwater, the flow rate of the dry particulate material (and anyadditives), the temperature of water and/or the temperature of the dryparticulate material are adjusted until the grout having desiredcharacteristics is produced, at which time the grout mixer 208 is placedin position such that the grout in the grout mixer 208 is dispensed intothe surge hopper 212.

[0080] In order to prevent the grout in the surge hopper 212 fromsetting, the surge hopper 212 can include a surge hopper grout agitator232. The grout agitator 232 stirs the grout in the surge hopper 212 tomaintain homogeneity of the grout. Any device that stirs the grout canbe used as a surge hopper grout agitator 232 including an auger, astirrer and a rotating drum where the surge hopper itself rotates toagitate the grout. Preferably, the surge hopper grout agitator 232 is amechanical stirrer.

[0081] The rate of grout production depends on the rate of grout use fora particular application. For example, in a pavement lane markingoperation where a total of about 20 meters in length of about 10 cm wideand about 0.6 cm deep groove is filled per minute, the grout mixer 208is generally operated at a rate of from about 5 liter (L) per minute(L/min) to about 20 L/min of grout production, more preferably fromabout 10 L/min to about 17 L/min, and most preferably at about 15 L/min.While it may be possible that the rate of grout use can be higher thanthe rate of grout production for limited periods of time, typically therate of grout production is equal to or higher than the rate of groutuse. When the rate of production is greater than the rate of use, theamount of grout in the surge hopper 212 will increase. One way ofpreventing the grout in the surge hopper 212 from overflowing is tomanually turn off the grout mixer 208. This requires constant monitoringor the grout level by the operator. While manually turning the groutmixer 208 on and off can be used to prevent the grout overflow in thesurge hopper 212, it is preferred that the grout production becontrolled automatically, e.g., based on the grout level in the surgehopper 212. This automation of the grout production reduces theprobability of having too much or too little grout in the surge hopper212.

[0082] One method of controlling the rate of grout production is toinclude a surge hopper grout level sensor (not shown). Exemplary sensorsuseful in determining the grout level in the surge hopper 212 includeoptical sensors, acoustic sensors, electromagnetic wave sensors,mechanical sensors, and electrical sensors. Preferably, the surge hoppergrout level sensor is an ultrasonic sensor. An example of an ultrasonicsensor which is useful in sensing the grout level is a sonic sensorModel No. S0N51K manufactured by Vega Grieshaber KG (SchiTach, Germany).The surge hopper grout level sensor is operatively connected to thegrout mixer 208 and controls the grout mixer 208. Preferably, the surgehopper grout level sensor is also operatively connected to and controlsthe dry product vibrator and the dry product dispensing device 216.Thus, when the surge hopper grout level sensor detects that the groutlevel in the surge hopper 212 is below a particular level it turns onthe product hopper vibrator, the dry product dispensing device 216, thegrout mixer 208, the liquid inlet and other devices which may be presentand required (see below) to produce more grout. When the surge hoppergrout level sensor detects that the grout level in the surge hopper 212is above a certain level it can turn-off the product hopper vibrator,the dry product dispensing device 216 and the grout mixer 208. Inaddition other devices which may be present and operating, such as thedry product vibrator, the air pad, the water inlet, and/or the liquidadditive inlet, can also be turned-off by the control system which isoperatively connected to the surge hopper grout level sensor.Preferably, there is a delay in turning off the grout mixer 208 relativeto all other devices such that substantially all the grout in the groutmixer 208 is dispensed from the grout mixer 208. The delay time forturning off the grout mixer 208 is at least as long as the residencetime of the grout in the grout mixer 208, which is typically about 2minutes. Preferably the delay time is at least about 10 seconds longerthan the average residence time of the grout in the grout mixer 208,more preferably at least about 20 seconds longer than the averageresidence time of the grout in the grout mixer 208, and most preferablyat least about 30 seconds longer than the average residence time of thegrout in the grout mixer 208.

[0083] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a groutdispensing apparatus 100 which can be used alone or be operativelyconnected to the grout preparation apparatus 200 described above. Whenthe grout dispensing apparatus 100 is used in conjunction with the groutpreparation apparatus 200, the grout preparation apparatus can alsoinclude a grout dispensing device (not shown) which dispenses grout fromthe surge hopper 212. Exemplary grout dispensing devices include augers,slurry pumps, conveyors and gravity slide type devices. In a particularembodiment of the present invention, the grout dispensing device is aperistaltic pump which dispenses grout from the surge hopper 212 througha hose. Preferably the hose can be moved from one side of the groutpreparation apparatus 200 to the other side of the grout preparationapparatus 200 to allow positioning of the grout dispensing apparatus 100on either side of the grout preparation apparatus 200. In addition, thehose may be connected to a sprayer device (not shown) for a spray-onapplication of the grout. In this manner the grout can be simply sprayedonto a pavement surface. The sprayed embodiment is especially useful onasphalt. Although a sprayed mark does not last as long as grout appliedto a pavement groove, it can last about three years or more. This usefullife is about three times as long as paint, and is about the same lengthas the useful life of asphalt.

[0084] The grout dispensing apparatus 100 includes a grout hopper 104, aside form 108, and a material gate 112. The grout hopper 104 isoperatively connected to a material gate 112 which has open and closedpositions. Opening and closing of the material gate 112 can be achievedmanually or by a mechanical device, such as a hydraulic device, a geardevice, a motor, a belt or a chain driven device, and other suitabledevices. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, openingand closing of the material gate 112 is achieved by a hydraulic device114. In operation, grout is placed in the grout hopper 104 and the groutdispensing apparatus 100 is placed near a pavement groove and the sideform 108 is inserted into the pavement groove. For a pavement lanemarking, the side form 108 is typically from about 10 cm to about 35 cmin length, preferably from about 15 cm to about 30 cm in length, andmore preferably from about 20 cm to about 25 cm in length. Preferably,the grout dispensing apparatus 100 has two side forms, one for each sideboundary (i.e., side-walls) of the pavement groove. The side forms 108are designed to be inserted into the pavement groove such that they aresubstantially near the side boundaries of the pavement groove and fitrelatively snugly against the side-walls of the pavement groove. In thismanner, the grout is confined to the width of the pavement groovewithout spilling over onto the adjacent pavement surface. The side forms108 can be moved vertically, for example, by a spring-load mechanism, toallow adjustment to various pavement groove depths. Although the sideform 108 can be a variety of shapes, preferably the side form 108 isrectangular or a trapezoid-like shape. The distance between the two sideforms 108 is generally substantially equal to, but slightly less than,the width of the pavement groove. While grout dispensing apparatushaving a particular distance between the side forms 108 is generallyused for a given pavement groove width, the width of the groutdispensing apparatus 100 may be designed to be adjustable such that itcan be used in a variety of pavement groove widths.

[0085] Preferably, the side forms 108 are guillotine-like, i.e., theside forms 108 move vertically using a spring-loaded mechanism, allowingthe side forms 108 to be in a constant contact with the pavement groovebottom surface. Since the side forms 108 contact the grout, the sideforms 108 are designed to prevent the grout from adhering, i.e.,sticking, and setting on the side forms 108. There are many ways toprevent the grout from sticking and setting on the side forms 108,including coating the side forms 108 with non-sticking materials such asnon-sticking ceramic materials, using mechanical devices, such asscrapers, and using pressurized air spray devices. In a particularembodiment of the present invention, a constant stream of pressurizedair on both sides of each of the side forms 108 is used to maintain freevertical movement of the side forms 108.

[0086] The pavement groove can be prepared by any suitable method,including using a plurality of saw blades. One apparatus for generatinga pavement groove is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,453, entitled“Precision Slot Cutting Machine for Concrete and Asphalt,” issued toCaven et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Briefly, the cutting machine includes a plurality of saw blades. Thenumber of saw blades in the cutting machine is determined by the desiredwidth of the pavement groove to be generated. Saw blades are spacedapart in a manner consistent with the desired texture of the bottomsurface of the pavement groove. A wide spacing of saw blades generallycreates a relatively rougher texture, and a narrow spacing of saw bladescreates a relatively smoother texture. Moreover, the spacing of sawblades creates a groove with a corduroy-like textured bottom surface. Acorduroy-like textured bottom surface of a groove provides largersurface area which allows for stronger bonding between the pavementgroove and the grout.

[0087] Prior to filling the pavement groove with grout, it is importantthat the pavement groove be properly prepared so that a strong andproper bonding occurs between the pavement groove and the grout. Forexample, the pavement groove should be substantially free of all loosedebris or particles which may prevent a direct formation of bondingbetween the pavement groove and the grout. To ensure the pavement grooveis substantially free of all loose particles, the grout dispensingapparatus 100 can include a groove clearing air spray device 116. Theair pressure of the groove clearing air spray device should besufficiently high enough to remove substantially all loose particles. Toremove substantially all relevant particles, an air flow of from about850 L/min to about 2150 L/min can be used, preferably an air flow offrom about 1100 L/min to about 1850 L/min is used, and more preferablyan air flow of from about 1400 L/min to about 1700 L/min is used.Generally, the air flow in the air spray device 116 is independent ofthe speed of the grout dispensing apparatus 100 as long as the air flowis sufficiently high enough to remove substantially all loose particles.

[0088] A presence of moisture in the pavement groove provides a strongbonding between the pavement groove and the grout. Therefore, the groutdispensing apparatus 100 can also include an operatively connected mistspray device 120 for spraying water mist into the pavement groove.Formation of a strong and proper bond between the grout and the pavementgroove requires a relatively narrow range of the pavement groovemoisture content. Too much or too little moisture in the pavement grooveis detrimental to a strong bonding between the pavement groove and thegrout. Since the amount of water applied to the pavement groove dependson the rate of water sprayed by the mist spray device 120 (e.g., spraynozzle) and the speed at which the mist spray device moves along thepavement groove, it is preferred that the rate of water spray beconnected to the forward travel speed of the grout dispensing apparatus100 as it moves along the pavement groove. In this manner, a relativelyconstant amount of water mist is applied to each area of the pavementgroove.

[0089] After positioning the grout dispensing apparatus 100 near thepavement groove and inserting the side forms 108 in the pavement groove,the material gate 112 is opened to dispense the grout in the grouthopper 104 into the pavement groove. The grout dispensing apparatus 100is then moved along the length of the pavement groove until the pavementgroove has been filled with the grout. As the grout dispensing apparatus100 moves along the pavement groove, the extruded grout fills thepavement groove, is struck off by the strike-off 124 and is leveled tothe adjacent pavement surface level by the extrusion pan 128.

[0090] The grout hopper 104 can include a grout hopper vibrator (notshown) for vibrating the grout hopper. The vibration of the grout hopperallows a smooth flow of the grout from the grout hopper into thepavement groove. In addition, the vibration of the grout hopper reducesthe amount of grout which adheres to the side of the grout hopper.

[0091] The grout hopper 104 can also include a grout hopper groutagitator 132. The agitator 132 agitates (or stirs) the grout in thegrout hopper 104 to maintain homogeneity of the grout and prevent thegrout from setting. The agitator 132 can be a single unit or it can havean agitator motor 136 which is removably attached to the agitator shaft140 by a belt, a chain, a gear or other drive devices 144. Preferably,the agitator 132 contains a grout-hopper side wall wiping device (notshown) to ensure agitation of all the grout in the grout hopper 104.

[0092] The grout hopper 104 can also include a grout hopper grout levelsensor (not shown). The sensor determines the amount of grout in thegrout hopper 104 and controls a device which dispenses the grout intothe grout hopper. The grout hopper grout level sensor can be any of thegrout level sensors similar to those discussed above for the surgehopper grout level sensor. It should be appreciated that when the groutdispensing apparatus 100 is used alone, there is no need for the grouthopper grout level sensor. However, when the grout dispensing apparatus100 is connected to a grout preparation apparatus 200 such as the onediscussed above, the grout hopper grout level sensor can be operativelyconnected to the grout dispensing device (not shown) which is disclosedabove. In this manner, the amount of grout in the grout hopper 104 canbe adjusted automatically so that there is a sufficient amount of groutin the grout hopper 104 when needed. In a particular embodiment of thepresent invention, the grout hopper grout level sensor is an opticalsensor, specifically an analog photoelectric sensor model number E3SAmanufactured by Omron Corporation (Tokyo, Japan).

[0093] The material gate 112 is generally located on the bottom of thegrout hopper 104 so that when the material gate 112 is in an openposition the grout flows into the pavement groove. Opening and closingof the material gate 112 can be controlled by a hydraulic means or anyother method of opening and closing such a device. The material gate 112can be manually controlled. Alternatively, the material gate 112 can becontrolled automatically by connecting it to a pavement groove sensor(not shown) which detects the presence of a pavement groove near thematerial gate 112.

[0094] As discussed above, the grout dispensing apparatus 100 preferablycontains two side forms 108 with the distance between the side forms 108being substantially equal to the width of the pavement groove. The sideforms 108 fit within the pavement groove substantially on the sideboundaries of the pavement groove. As the grout is filled in thepavement groove the side forms 108 confine the grout within the pavementgroove. Additionally, the side forms 108 help to position the materialgate 112 directly over the pavement groove.

[0095] As the grout dispensing apparatus 100 travels along the length ofthe pavement groove, the strike-off 124 limits the amount of the groutflow into the pavement groove to the adjacent pavement surface level andthe extrusion pan 128 levels the grout that has been placed in thepavement groove. The extrusion pan 128 can be a bar of any suitableshape or a plate which levels the grout to the adjacent pavement surfacelevel. Preferably, the difference between the height of the adjacentpavement surface and the leveled grout is less than 1.5 mm, morepreferably less than about 0.8 mm, and most preferably less than about0.4 mm.

[0096] The grout dispensing apparatus 100 can also include a smoothingplate 148 to smooth out the surface of the grout that has been filledand leveled in the pavement groove. The smoothing plate 148 can be anysuitable shape. The grout dispensing apparatus 100 of the presentinvention can also include a smoothing plate vibrator (not shown) forvibrating the smoothing plate. Typically, the smoothing plate vibratoris a pencil vibrator or a similar device. The amplitude of vibration isless than about 1 mm, preferably less than about 0.5 mm, and morepreferably less than about 0.1 mm. The frequency of vibration may beadjusted as is necessary to produce a smooth leveled grout in thepavement groove. The vibration of the smoothing plate 148 trowels thegrout and pushes the grout against the side wall of the groove, therebyreducing or eliminating any channel that is formed due to the side forms108. In addition, the vibration of the smoothing plate 148 seals thesurface of the grout to provide desired performance qualities.

[0097] The grout dispensing apparatus 100 can also include a rollablesupport system 152 such as wheels, tracks and/or skids for moving thegrout dispensing apparatus 100 easily along the pavement surface.Preferably, the rollable support system 152 includes a suspension system156 to minimize the variation of the grout level due to irregularitiespresent in the pavement surface. Preferably, the suspension system 156is a longitudinal bogey averaging system and a transversal bogeyaveraging system, which averages the irregularities in the adjacentpavement surface. The bogey averaging system allows the level of groutplaced into the pavement groove to be within about 1.5 mm relative tothe adjacent pavement surface, more preferably within about 0.8 mm, andmost preferably within about 0.4 mm.

[0098] As mentioned below, a visibility-enhancing agent (e.g., areflective agent) can be an integral mixture of the grout.Alternatively, the visibility-enhancing agent can be embedded in thegrout surface in a separate step before the grout is completely cured.To allow a separate step of embedding the visibility-enhancing agent toan uncured grout, the grout dispensing apparatus 100 of the presentinvention can have an operatively connected visibility-enhancing agentapplying device 160. Alternatively, the visibility-enhancing agent canbe placed on the uncured grout surface separately. Preferably, theparticle size of visibility-enhancing agent is at least about 600microns and more preferably at least about 850 microns. For such a smallparticle size, it is preferred that the visibility-enhancing agent beembedded on the grout surface by a visibility-enhancing agent applyingdevice 160. When the visibility-enhancing agent is applied to the groutsurface, preferably from about 25% to about 75% of thevisibility-enhancing agent is embedded in the grout surface, morepreferably from about 33% to about 66% of the visibility-enhancing agentis embedded in the grout surface, and most preferably at least about 50%of the visibility-enhancing agent is embedded in the grout surface. Thevisibility-enhancing agent applying device 160 can be a spray nozzle, asimple gravity utilizing spreader or a dropper, or any other deviceswhich can apply and embed the visibility-enhancing agent as prescribedabove. When the visibility-enhancing agent applying device 160 isoperatively connected to the grout dispensing apparatus 100, it ispreferred that a warning device (not shown), such as an indicator (e.g.,a light) or an alarm, be present to alert the operator if thevisibility-enhancing agent is not being properly applied or dispensed bythe visibility-enhancing agent applying device 160.

[0099] The grout dispensing apparatus 100 of the present invention canalso include an operatively connected grout-surface air spray device 164for further embedding and/or removing non-embedded visibility-enhancingagent from the grout surface in the pavement groove. Preferably thegrout-surface air spray device 164 is an air spray nozzle which producesa sufficient air spray pressure to substantially remove all non-embeddedvisibility-enhancing agents and to further embed thevisibility-enhancing agents without substantially affecting the groutsurface. If the air spray pressure is too high, it may disturb or causean indentation in the grout surface. Preferably, the pressure of air inthe air spray nozzle is adjustable so that the operator can change theair pressure depending on particular conditions.

[0100] The newly poured grout is subject to a variety of environmentalconditions, such as rain, snow, heat and dust. To allow the grout tocure properly, one can coat the newly poured grout with a protectivecoating. Thus, the grout dispensing apparatus 100 of the presentinvention can also include an operatively connected curing-agent (orsealing-agent) applying device 168 for applying a curing-agent (orsealing-agent) on the grout. The curing-agent applying device 168 can beany device for applying a curing-agent on the grout surface. Preferably,the curing-agent applying device 168 sprays the curing agent on top ofthe grout and/or the visibility-enhancing agent using a spray nozzle.Sealing the grout and/or the visibility-enhancing agent protects it fromenvironment and allows the grout to cure properly.

[0101] When the operations of the grout dispensing apparatus 100 (i.e.,opening of the material gate 112) the visibility-enhancing agentapplying device 160, the grout-surface air spray device 164, and/or thecuring-agent applying device 168 are controlled by a single device(e.g., a switch), there should be a sufficient delay in starting theoperation of the visibility-enhancing agent applying device 160, thegrout-surface air spray device 164, and/or the curing-agent applyingdevice 168 relative to the starting time of the operation of the groutdispensing apparatus 100 to allow for the time required for thevisibility-enhancing agent applying device 160, the grout-surface airspray device 164, and/or the curing-agent applying device 168 to be inposition over the grout in the pavement groove. Similarly, there shouldbe a delay time for turning off the visibility-enhancing agent applyingdevice 160, the grout-surface air spray device 164, and/or thecuring-agent applying device 168 relative to the operation of the groutdispensing apparatus 100 to allow the visibility-enhancing agentapplying device 160, the grout-surface air spray device 164, and/or thecuring-agent applying device 168 to cover the last few centimeters ofthe grout that is dispensed into the pavement groove.

[0102] Another embodiment of the present invention provides aself-propulsion device 300, which can be operatively connected to thegrout preparation apparatus 200 and/or the grout dispensing apparatus100 discussed above. When the grout dispensing apparatus 100 isconnected to the self-propulsion device 300 (or the grout preparationapparatus 200), a grout dispensing apparatus lifting device (not shown)can also be included for lifting the grout dispensing apparatus 100above the pavement surface, for example, when it is not in use. Suchlifting device can be a hydraulic device, a pneumatic device, anelectrical device, and/or a mechanical device. Moreover, vertical andaxial movements of the grout dispensing apparatus 100 is independent ofthe self propulsion device 300. This independent movement allows thegrout dispensing apparatus 100 to adapt to the contours on or near thepavement groove independent of the contours experienced by theself-propulsion device 300.

[0103] The self-propulsion device 300 (or the grout preparationapparatus 200) can also include a guiding device (not shown) for guidingthe grout dispensing apparatus 100 into a proper position to fill thepavement groove. In operation, the operator lowers the grout dispensingapparatus 100 onto the pavement surface such that the pavement groove iswithin the lateral movement leeway of the grout dispensing apparatus 100(discussed below) and positions the grout dispensing apparatus 100 intoa proper position for filling the pavement groove using the guidingdevice.

[0104] The self-propulsion device 300 includes a self-propulsion systemfor self-propulsion (not shown), a control panel 304, and a swing arm308. The self-propulsion system can be an electric engine, such as asolar-powered engine and/or other battery operated engines; a combustionengine, which uses diesel, gasoline, natural gas, an alcohol or otherfuel; or a combination thereof. Other type engines can be used. Theseself-propulsion systems are generally known to one skilled in the engineart. The speed of travel of the self-propulsion device 300 can becontrolled by a variety of means, including by using a pedal, a variableresistor and other known methods. However, because a constant and/or afine control of a pedal is relatively difficult, it is preferred thatthe speed control device (not shown) of the self-propulsion device 300is a variable resistor type control such as a knob, a lever or any othersuitable set control devices, more preferably the speed control deviceis a variable resistor knob (i.e., a dial). In this manner, the speed oftravel can be controlled by turning, setting or positioning the variableresistor to a particular position. This provides a constant andrepeatable speed of travel.

[0105] The control panel 304 of the self-propulsion device 300 isattached to the swing arm 308 which allows the control panel 304 to bepositioned on either the left side or the right side of theself-propulsion device 300. The control panel 304 includes a variety ofcontrols (not shown) which control the operations of the self-propulsiondevice 300 and any other apparatus which may be operatively connected tothe self-propulsion device 300.

[0106] The control panel 304 also can include a steering mechanism (notshown) for controlling the direction of travel of the self-propulsiondevice 300. The self-propulsion device 300 of the present inventionpreferably contains only one steering device because the control panel304 is attached to the swing arm 308, which allows the steering deviceto be placed on the left side or the right side. Thus, there is no needfor a second steering mechanism on the self-propulsion device 300.

[0107] The self-propulsion device 300 can also include other attendantdevices, such as a fuel tank, hydraulics, air compressors or otherpressure generators, pressurized cleaner for cleaning any of the abovedescribed devices and other useful devices.

[0108] The above described apparatus can be used alone or in anycombination. Moreover, devices which are not manually controlled, suchas surge hopper grout agitator and grout hopper grout agitator, have on,off and auto settings. These devices are typically set to the autoposition during operation. The on position of these individual devicesare generally used during maintenance or cleaning operations. Inaddition, to prevent the grout from adhering and setting on any of thedevices which contacts the grout, these devices can be coated, e.g.,sprayed-on, with a non-sticking material, such as non-sticking ceramicmaterials

[0109] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the pavementgroove filling apparatus 10 is a self-propulsion pavement groove fillingapparatus, where the control panel 304 includes a forward speed controldevice (e.g., a switch). The forward speed control device (not shown)has at least three settings: pave, skip and stop modes. When the forwardspeed control device is in the pave mode, the groove clearing air spraydevice 116 and the mist spray device 120 are turned on, and theself-propulsion pavement groove filling apparatus accelerates to pavespeed that is set by the variable speed control device. When the forwardspeed control is in the stop or the skip mode, the groove clearing airspray device 116, the mist spray device 120, the visibility-enhancingagent applying device 160, the grout surface air spray device 164 andthe curing agent applying device 168 are turned off. In addition, thematerial gate 112 is closed to prevent flow of grout out of the grouthopper 104. However, in the stop mode, the self-propulsion pavementgroove filling apparatus stops any forward motion, where as in the skipmode the self-propulsion pavement groove filling apparatus acceleratesto travel speed that is set by the variable speed control device.

[0110] The control panel 304 can also include a temperature controlswitch (not shown). When the temperature control switch is in the “on”position, temperatures of the dry particulate material, water and thegrout are determined by corresponding temperature sensors. A computer orother similar control devices then controls the dry product heater andthe water heater to heat the dry particulate material and/or the water,if necessary. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, bothof the heaters are operatively connected to the dry product and thegrout temperature sensors. In addition, depending on the grouttemperature, an additive may also be added to the grout mixer 208.

[0111] A grout useful with the present invention has good flexuralstrength, excellent bonding ability, good workability characteristics,excellent abrasion resistance, and/or excellent retro-reflectivity.There are many type of grouts including grouts for cold temperature useand grouts for hot temperature use. In the present invention, grouthaving an optimum temperature of use of about 21° C. is preferred. Auseful grout is disclosed in provisional U.S. patent application Ser.No. 60/083,960, entitled “Integrated Marking Materials” by SandraSprouts, filed on May 1, 1998, and in corresponding U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______ entitled “Integrated Marking Materials” bySandra Sprouts, filed on ______, 1999, both of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety. The cementitious mixture (i.e.,grout) can include a cementitious binder. In a dry formulation, thecementitious binder is a hydraulic cement, preferably a portland cementor quick setting cementitious binder such as magnesium phosphate ormagnesium potassium phosphate cement, or any other suitable hydraulicbinder.

[0112] The grout can also include a variety of polymers to provide arange of desired physical properties. For example, a grout can include apolymeric cement modifier such as a polymeric resin. Exemplary polymericresins include, but are not limited to, resins of acrylic, ethylenevinyl acetate, styrene-acrylic, styrene-butadiene, polyvinyl acetate,vinyl versatate, vinyl acetate, and blends, copolymers, or terpolymer ofthese resins. The amount of polymeric cement modifier used should besufficient to compatablize the cementitious material with other materialwhich may be present in the dry particulate material such as theretroreflective and reflective fillers, but it should not unfavorablydiminish the strength of the resulting material.

[0113] The dry particulate material can also contain other customarycomponents of cementitious mixtures, such as aggregate, including fineaggregate or sand, and coarse aggregate, such as silica, quartz, crushedrounded marble, glass spheres, granite, limestone, calcite, feldspar,alluvial sands, other durable aggregate, mixtures of aggregate and thelike.

[0114] The dry particulate material can also contain a variety of usefulmodifiers to control set time, enhance binding of the grout to thegroove, control shrinkage, enhance the strength of the grout, or otherdesired modifiers. Such modifiers include, but are not limited to, adispersant, a plasticizer, a water reducer, and/or one or more othercommon admixtures as needed for the particular application andenvironment, such as an accelerator; an air entrainer; a defoamer;fibers; an inert filler, such as calcium carbonate, ceramicmicrospheres, mica, talc, silica flour, diatomaceous earth, rice huskash and the like; a natural clay; a pozzolanic filler, such as fly ash,kaolin, silica fume, blast furnace slag and the like; a retarder; arheology modifier, such as a water soluble polymer; a shrinkagecompensating agent; a synthetic clay; a suspending agent; a thickeningagent; and the like; and mixtures thereof. Suitable examples of theseadmixtures are known to those skilled in the art, and representativeexamples are listed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,209,which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

[0115] The dry particulate material can also include a coloring agentsuch as an inorganic pigment, an organic pigment and/or aninorganic/organic hybrid pigment, including any suitable dye orcolorant. Such pigments include but are not limited to, carbon black,white latex, Hansa yellow(2-[4-methoxy-2-nitrophenyl)azo]-N-(2-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxo butanamide),iron oxide, titanium dioxide, zinc sulfate, zinc sulfides, LumiNova™,modified zinc sulfide (United Minerals Corp.), Lithopone -zincsulfide/barium sulfate, zinc oxide, titanates, nickel antimonytitanates, phthalocyanines, mixed phase spinels and oxides, and mixturesthereof. The dry particulate material can be tailored in color andconsistency to meet specific aesthetic and/or design needs.

[0116] To enhance visibility at night or in other low light conditions,the dry particulate material can also include a visibility-enhancingagent such as retroreflective and/or reflective agents. Exemplaryvisibility-enhancing agents include, but are not limited to, glassbeads, glass bubbles, glass spheres, ceramic spheres, plastic beads, andthe like, and mixtures thereof. A visibility-enhancing agent can beplaced as a top-coat or broadcast layer for initial surface reflectioncharacteristics. As discussed in detail below, a visibility-enhancingagent can also be included integrally in the grout so that itsvisibility-enhancing property remains after the visibility-enhancingagents on the surface of the pavement are worn off. The size of thevisibility-enhancing agent is selected to achieve the best combinationof retro-reflectivity and/or reflectivity and wear characteristics for aparticular pavement marking. Preferably, the average top size of thevisibility-enhancing agent is at least about 600 microns (μm), and morepreferably at least about 850 μm. It should be appreciated that theaverage top size of the visibility-enhancing agent is limited only byavailability and ease of incorporation into and mixing with the othercomponents of the grout or its ability to be embedded into the topsurface of the grout.

[0117] A typical operation of the self-propulsion pavement groovefilling apparatus is illustrated as follows. An operator positions thegrout dispensing apparatus 100 and the control panel 304 on anappropriate side of the self-propulsion device 300 for a givenconstruction application. The dry particulate material is placed intothe product hopper 204 and is heated to desired temperature based on thetemperature determined by the product temperature sensor and the grouttemperature sensor. The dry product dispensing device 216, which iscontrolled by the surge hopper grout level sensor, meters the dryparticulate material from the product hopper 204 to the grout mixer 208.Water is injected into the grout mixer 208 through a liquid inlet. Theinjection of water is also controlled by the surge hopper grout levelsensor. However, the rate of the amount of water added is controlledmanually. Preheating of water is based on the temperature of the dryparticulate material and the temperature of the grout as determined bythe dry product and the grout temperature sensors. Additives, if needed,are also added into the grout mixer 208 based on the grout temperatureas determined by the grout temperature sensor. The rate of additiveaddition (typically in mL/hr) to the grout mixer 208 is typicallycontrolled manually. Preferably, there is a warning device, similar tothose discussed above for the visibility-enhancing agent applying device160, which alerts the operator when the additive inlet is open but thereis insufficient amount of additives being added to the grout mixer 208.

[0118] The grout mixer 208 mixes the materials to homogeneousconsistency and transfers the resulting grout to the surge hopper 212.The surge hopper grout agitator, which is manually controlled, agitatesgrout in the surge hopper 212 to maintain homogeneity of the grout.

[0119] The grout dispensing device, which is controlled by the grouthopper grout level sensor, dispenses grout from the surge hopper 212 tothe grout hopper 104 through a grout transfer hose. The grout hoppergrout agitator 132 agitates the grout in the grout hopper 104 tomaintain homogeneity of the grout.

[0120] The operator steers the self-propulsion device 300 using thesteering device to within about 30 cm range of the pavement groove usinga sighting mechanism. The grout dispensing apparatus 100 has from about10 cm to about 50 cm, preferably about 30 cm, of lateral movement leewayindependent from the self-propulsion device 300 to allow the operator toposition the grout dispensing apparatus 100 over the pavement grooveindependently of the position of the self-propulsion device 300. Thegrout dispensing apparatus 100 is then positioned near the pavementgroove such that the side forms 108 are inserted into the pavementgroove.

[0121] The material gate 112 is opened to allow flow of the grout fromthe grout hopper 104 into the pavement groove. The operator startsforward motion by selecting the pave mode from the control panel 304,which automatically turns on the groove clearing air spray device 116and the mist spray device 120. The groove clearing air spray device 116directs compressed air into the pavement groove ahead of the groutdispensing apparatus 100 to clear the pavement groove of debris.Compressed air is at a constant pressure regardless of the forwardtravel speed of the self-propulsion device 300. The mist spray device120 applies a mist of water into the pavement groove in front of thegrout dispensing apparatus 100. Pressure of the water mist applicationis dependent on the forward travel speed of the self-propulsion device300.

[0122] Simultaneously, the self-propulsion device 300 moves forward attravel speed, which is selected by the operator. Grout is placed intothe pavement groove, is confined to the pavement groove by the sideforms 108, is struck off by the strike-off 124, leveled by the extrusionpan 128 and smoothed by the smoothing plate 148.

[0123] The visibility-enhancing agent applying device 160 appliesreflective beads onto the surface of the wet grout. The application ofthe beads is started upon start of pave mode with about three secondsdelay, and the application of the beads is stopped about three secondsafter the pave mode is turned off.

[0124] The grout surface air spray device 164 sprays compressed air ontothe grout surface to flush away any excess beads that are not embeddedand to further embed the beads into the grout surface. The spray ofcompressed air is started upon start of pave mode with about threeseconds delay and is stopped about three seconds after the pave mode isturned off.

[0125] The curing-agent applying device 168 then sprays a grout 20curing agent on the grout surface. The pressure of curing agent spray isdependent on the speed of the self-propulsion device to reduce oreliminate pooling of the curing agent. Spraying of the curing agent isstarted upon start of pave mode with about three seconds delay and isstopped about three seconds after the pave mode is turned off.

[0126] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changesand modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of theinvention and that such changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intendedthat the appended claims cover all such equivalent variations as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention.

[0127]10 Pavement groove filling apparatus

[0128]100 grout dispensing apparatus

[0129]104 grout hopper

[0130]108 side forms

[0131]112 material gate

[0132]114 hydraulic device

[0133]116 groove clearing air spray device

[0134]120 mist spray device

[0135]124 strike-off

[0136]128 extrusion pan

[0137]132 grout hopper grout agitator

[0138]136 agitator motor

[0139]140 agitator shaft

[0140]144 belt, chain, gear or other drive devices

[0141]148 smoothing plate

[0142]152 roller support system

[0143]156 suspension system

[0144]160 visibility enhancing agent applying device

[0145]164 grout surface air spray device

[0146]168 curing agent applying device

[0147]200 grout preparation apparatus

[0148]204 product hopper

[0149]208 grout mixer

[0150]212 surge hopper

[0151]216 dry product dispensing device

[0152]220 dry product feed auger

[0153]224 metering auger

[0154]228 water tank

[0155]232 surge hopper grout agitator

[0156]300 self-propulsion device

[0157]304 control panel

[0158]308 swing arm

What is claimed is:
 1. A grout dispensing apparatus comprising: (a) agrout hopper for storing grout; (b) a material gate having open andclosed positions operatively connected to said grout hopper fordispensing the grout from said grout hopper into a pavement groove whensaid material gate is in the open position; (c) a side form forconfining the grout substantially within side boundaries of the pavementgroove; and (d) an extrusion pan for leveling the grout in the pavementgroove.
 2. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein saidgrout hopper further comprises a grout-hopper vibrator for vibratingsaid grout hopper.
 3. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 1 ,wherein said grout hopper further comprises a grout-hopper groutagitator for maintaining homogeneity of said grout in said grout hopper.4. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising asmoothing plate for smoothing the grout surface in the pavement groove.5. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising asmoothing-plate vibrator operatively connected to said smoothing platefor vibrating said smoothing plate.
 6. The grout dispensing apparatus ofclaim 1 , further comprising a visibility-enhancing agent applyingdevice for applying and embedding a visibility-enhancing agent on thegrout surface in the pavement groove.
 7. The grout dispensing apparatusof claim 6 , further comprising a warning device operatively connectedto said visibility-enhancing agent applying device for alerting theoperator when the visibility-enhancing agent is not being properlyapplied or dispensed by the visibility-enhancing agent applying device.8. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising agrout-surface air spray device for removing non-embeddedvisibility-enhancing agent from the grout surface and for furtherembedding the visibility-enhancing agent into the grout surface.
 9. Thegrout dispensing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising acuring-agent applying device for applying a curing agent onto the groutsurface in the pavement groove.
 10. The grout dispensing apparatus ofclaim 1 , further comprising a rollable support system.
 11. The groutdispensing apparatus of claim 10 , wherein said rollable support systemcomprises a longitudinal bogey averaging system and a transversal bogeyaveraging system.
 12. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 1 ,further comprising a groove clearing air spray device for clearing thepavement groove of particles.
 13. The grout dispensing apparatus ofclaim 12 , further comprising a mist spray device for spraying watermist into the pavement groove.
 14. The grout dispensing apparatus ofclaim 1 , further comprising a grout preparation apparatus operativelyconnected to said grout dispensing apparatus, wherein said groutpreparation apparatus comprises: (a) a product hopper for storing a dryparticulate material; (b) a product dispensing device for dispensing atleast a portion of the dry particulate material from said producthopper; (c) a grout mixer operatively connected to saidproduct-dispensing device for mixing the dry particulate material withwater to produce the grout; (d) a surge hopper operatively connected tosaid grout mixer for storing the grout; and (e) a surge hopper groutagitator for agitating the grout in said surge hopper.
 15. The groutdispensing apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising a grouttemperature sensor for determining the temperatures of the grout in saidsurge hopper.
 16. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 15 , furthercomprising a dry product temperature sensor for determining thetemperatures of the dry particulate material, and a product heateroperatively connected to said product temperature sensor and said grouttemperature sensor for heating the dry particulate material.
 17. Thegrout dispensing apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said grout preparationapparatus further comprises a water storage device operatively connectedto said grout mixer for storing water, and wherein said grout mixercomprises a water inlet operatively connected to said water storagedevice for supplying water to said grout mixer.
 18. The grout dispensingapparatus of claim 17 , wherein said grout preparation apparatus furthercomprises a water temperature sensor for determining the temperature ofwater in said water storage device, and a water heater operativelyconnected to said water temperature sensor and to said grout temperaturesensor for heating water.
 19. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 15, wherein said grout mixer further comprises an additive inlet foradding an additive to said grout mixer, and wherein the addition of theadditive is operatively connected to said grout temperature sensor. 20.The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 14 , wherein said product hopperfurther comprises a product hopper vibrator for vibrating said producthopper and an air pad for injecting air into said product hopper. 21.The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising asurge-hopper grout level sensor, wherein said surge-hopper grout levelsensor is operatively connected to said grout mixer and said productdispensing device for controlling the production of grout.
 22. The groutdispensing apparatus of claim 14 , wherein said grout preparationapparatus further comprises a grout dispensing device for dispensing thegrout from said surge hopper to said grout hopper.
 23. The groutdispensing apparatus of claim 22 , wherein said grout hopper comprises agrout-hopper grout level sensor operatively connected to said groutdispensing device for controlling said grout dispensing device.
 24. Thegrout dispensing apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising aself-propulsion device having an engine for self-propulsion, whereinsaid self-propulsion device is operatively connected to said groutpreparation apparatus and said grout dispensing apparatus.
 25. The groutdispensing apparatus of claim 24 , wherein said self-propulsion devicefurther comprises: (a) a control panel for controlling operations ofsaid self-propulsion device, said grout preparation apparatus and saidgrout dispensing apparatus, and (b) a swing arm, wherein said controlpanel is operatively connected to said swing arm, and wherein said swingarm allows placement of said control panel on the right side or the leftside of said self-propulsion device.
 26. The grout dispensing apparatusof claim 25 , wherein said grout dispensing apparatus is removablyattached to said self-propulsion device, and wherein said groutdispensing apparatus can be attached on the right or the left side ofsaid self-propulsion device.
 27. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim26 , further comprising a lifting mechanism for lifting said groutdispensing apparatus off of a pavement surface.
 28. The grout dispensingapparatus of claim 26 , further comprising a guiding device for guidingsaid grout dispensing apparatus into a proper pavement groove fillingposition.
 29. A grout preparation apparatus comprising: (a) a producthopper for storing a dry particulate material; (b) a product dispensingdevice for dispensing at least a portion of the dry particulate materialfrom said product hopper; (c) a grout mixer operatively connected tosaid product-dispensing device for mixing the dry particulate materialwith a liquid to produce the grout; and (d) a surge hopper operativelyconnected to said grout mixer for storing the grout.
 30. The groutpreparation apparatus of claim 29 , wherein said product hoppercomprises a product-hopper vibrator for vibrating said product hopper.31. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 29 , wherein said producthopper comprises a product-hopper air pad in the interior of saidproduct hopper for providing air flow into said product hopper to reducethe amount of agglomerate formation of the dry particulate material. 32.The grout preparation apparatus of claim 29 , further comprising a grouttemperature sensor for determining the temperature of the grout in saidsurge hopper.
 33. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 32 , furthercomprising a product temperature sensor for determining the temperatureof the dry particulate material.
 34. The grout preparation apparatus ofclaim 33 , further comprising a product heater operatively connected tosaid product temperature sensor and said grout temperature sensor forheating the dry particulate material.
 35. The grout preparationapparatus of claim 32 , further comprising a liquid storage deviceoperatively connected to said grout mixer for storing liquid and whereinsaid grout mixer further comprises a liquid inlet operatively connectedto said liquid storage device for supplying liquid to said grout mixer.36. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 35 , further comprising aliquid temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the liquidin said liquid storage device.
 37. The grout preparation apparatus ofclaim 36 , further comprising a liquid heater operatively connected tosaid liquid temperature sensor and said grout temperature sensor forheating the liquid.
 38. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 32 ,further comprising an additive inlet for adding an additive to saidgrout mixer, wherein the addition of the additive is operativelyconnected to said grout temperature sensor.
 39. The grout preparationapparatus of claim 29 , wherein said product dispensing device comprisesa dry product feed auger and a metering auger.
 40. The grout preparationapparatus of claim 29 , wherein said surge hopper comprises asurge-hopper grout agitator for maintaining homogeneity of the grout insaid surge hopper.
 41. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 29 ,wherein said surge hopper comprises a surge-hopper grout level sensor,wherein said surge-hopper grout level sensor is operatively connected tosaid grout mixer and said product dispensing device for controlling theproduction of grout.
 42. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 41 ,wherein said surge-hopper grout level sensor is an ultrasonic sensor.43. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 29 , further comprising aself-propulsion device having an engine for self-propulsion operativelyconnected to said grout preparation apparatus.
 44. The grout preparationapparatus of claim 40 , wherein said self-propulsion device furthercomprises: (a) a control panel for controlling operations of saidself-propulsion device and said grout preparation apparatus, and (b) aswing arm, wherein said control panel is operatively connected to saidswing arm, and wherein said swing arm allows placement of said controlpanel on the right side or the left side of said self-propulsion device.45. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 44 , further comprising agrout dispensing apparatus operatively connected to said control paneland said group preparation apparatus, wherein said grout dispensingapparatus comprises: (a) a grout hopper for storing grout; (b) a grouthopper grout agitator for agitating the grout in said grout hopper; (c)a material gate having open and closed positions operatively connectedto said grout hopper for dispensing the grout from said grout hopperinto a pavement groove when said material gate is in the open position;(d) a side form for confining the grout substantially within sideboundaries of the pavement groove; and (e) an extrusion pan for levelingthe grout in the pavement groove.
 46. The grout preparation apparatus ofclaim 45 , further comprising a grout hopper vibrator for vibrating saidgrout hopper.
 47. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 45 , furthercomprising a smoothing plate for smoothing the grout surface in thepavement groove and a smoothing-plate vibrator operatively connected tosaid smoothing plate for vibrating said smoothing plate.
 48. The groutpreparation apparatus of claim 45 , wherein said grout dispensingapparatus further comprises a rollable support system, wherein saidrollable support system comprises a longitudinal bogey averaging systemand a transversal bogey averaging system.
 49. The grout preparationapparatus of claim 45 , wherein said grout dispensing apparatus furthercomprises a lifting mechanism for lifting said grout dispensingapparatus off of a pavement surface and a guiding device for guidingsaid grout dispensing apparatus into a proper pavement groove fillingposition.
 50. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 45 , furthercomprising: a visibility-enhancing agent applying device for applyingand embedding a visibility-enhancing agent onto the grout surface in thepavement groove; and a grout-surface air spray device for removingnon-embedded visibility-enhancing agent from the grout surface in thepavement groove and for further embedding the visibility-enhancing agentinto the grout surface.
 51. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 45, further comprising a curing-agent applying device for applying acuring agent onto the grout surface in the pavement groove.
 52. Thegrout preparation apparatus of claim 45 , wherein said grout dispensingapparatus is removably attached to said self-propulsion device, andwherein said grout dispensing apparatus can be attached on the right orthe left side of said self-propulsion device.
 53. The grout preparationapparatus of claim 45 , wherein said grout preparation apparatus furthercomprises a grout dispensing device for dispensing the grout from saidsurge hopper to said grout hopper.
 54. The grout preparation apparatusof claim 53 , wherein said grout dispensing device is operativelyconnected to a grout spray device for spraying the grout onto a pavementsurface.
 55. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 53 , wherein saidgrout dispensing device is a peristaltic pump.
 56. The grout preparationapparatus of claim 53 , wherein said grout hopper comprises agrout-hopper grout level sensor operatively connected to said groutdispensing device for controlling said grout dispensing device.
 57. Thegrout preparation apparatus of claim 45 , further comprising a grooveclearing air-spray device for clearing the pavement groove of particles.58. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 57 , further comprising amist-spray device for spraying water mist into the pavement groove. 59.A self-propulsion device comprising: (a) an engine for self-propulsion;(b) a control panel operatively connected to said engine; (c) a swingarm, wherein said swing arm allows placement of said control panel onthe right side or the left side of said self-propulsion device; and (d)at least one of a grout preparation apparatus and a grout dispersingapparatus.
 60. The self-propulsion device of claim 59 , wherein saidcontrol panel comprises a speed control dial for controlling the speedof said self-propulsion device.
 61. The self-propulsion device of claim59 , wherein said control panel comprises a steering device forcontrolling the direction of travel of said self-propulsion device. 62.The self-propulsion device of claim 59 , further comprising a groutpreparation apparatus operatively connected to said control panel,wherein said grout preparation apparatus comprises: (a) a product hopperfor storing a dry particulate material; (b) a product dispensing augerfor dispensing at least a portion of the dry particulate material fromsaid product hopper; (c) a grout mixer operatively connected to saidproduct-dispensing device for mixing the dry particulate material withwater to produce the grout; (d) a surge hopper operatively connected tosaid grout mixer for storing the grout; and (e) a surge hopper groutagitator for agitating the grout in said surge hopper.
 63. Theself-propulsion device of claim 62 , further comprising a grouttemperature sensor for determining the temperatures of the grout in saidsurge hopper.
 64. The self-propulsion device of claim 63 , furthercomprising a dry product temperature sensor for determining thetemperatures of the dry particulate material, and a product heateroperatively connected to said product temperature sensor and said grouttemperature sensor for heating the dry particulate material.
 65. Theself-propulsion device of claim 63 , wherein said grout preparationapparatus further comprises a water storage device operatively connectedto said grout mixer for storing water, and wherein said grout mixercomprises a water inlet operatively connected to said water storagedevice for supplying water to said grout mixer.
 66. The self-propulsiondevice of claim 65 , wherein said water storage device comprises a watertemperature sensor for determining the temperature of water in saidwater storage device and a water heater operatively connected to saidwater temperature sensor and to said grout temperature sensor forheating water.
 67. The self-propulsion device of claim 63 , wherein saidgrout mixer further comprises an additive inlet operatively connected tosaid grout temperature sensor for adding the additive to said groutmixer.
 68. The self-propulsion device of claim 62 , wherein said surgehopper comprises a surge-hopper grout level sensor, wherein saidsurge-hopper grout level sensor is operatively connected to said groutmixer and said product dispensing device for controlling the productionof grout.
 69. The self-propulsion device of claim 62 , furthercomprising a grout dispensing apparatus operatively connected to saidcontrol panel and to said grout preparation apparatus, wherein saidgrout dispensing apparatus comprises: (a) a grout hopper for storinggrout; (b) a grout hopper grout agitator for agitating the grout in saidgrout hopper; (c) a material gate having open and closed positionsoperatively- connected to said grout hopper for dispensing the groutfrom said grout hopper into a pavement groove when said material gate isin the open position; (d) a side form for confining the groutsubstantially within side boundaries of the pavement groove; and (e) anextrusion pan for leveling the grout in the pavement groove.
 70. Theself-propulsion device of claim 69 , wherein said grout preparationapparatus further comprises a peristaltic pump for dispensing the groutfrom said surge hopper to said grout hopper.
 71. The self-propulsiondevice of claim 70 , wherein said grout hopper comprises a grout-hoppergrout level sensor operatively connected to said grout dispensing devicefor controlling said peristaltic pump.
 72. The self-propulsion device ofclaim 69 , wherein said grout hopper further comprises a grout hoppervibrator for vibrating said grout hopper.
 73. The self-propulsion deviceof claim 69 , further comprising a smoothing plate for smoothing thegrout surface in the pavement groove and a smoothing-plate vibratoroperatively connected to said smoothing plate for vibrating saidsmoothing plate.
 74. The self-propulsion device of claim 69 , whereinsaid grout dispensing apparatus further comprises a rollable supportsystem having a longitudinal suspension system and a transversalsuspension system.
 75. The self-propulsion device of claim 69 , furthercomprising a lifting mechanism for lifting said grout dispensingapparatus off of a pavement surface and a guiding device for guiding thegrout dispensing apparatus into a proper pavement groove fillingposition.
 76. The self-propulsion device of claim 69 , furthercomprising a visibility-enhancing agent applying device for applying andembedding a visibility-enhancing agent onto the grout surface in thepavement groove.
 77. The self-propulsion device of claim 76 , furthercomprising a grout-surface air spray device for removing non-embeddedvisibility-enhancing agent from the grout surface in the pavement grooveand for further embedding the visibility-enhancing agent into the groutsurface.
 78. The self-propulsion device of claim 69 , further comprisinga curing-agent spray device for spraying a curing agent onto the groutsurface in the pavement groove.
 79. The self-propulsion device of claim69 , wherein said grout dispensing apparatus is removably attached tosaid self-propulsion device, and wherein said grout dispensing apparatuscan be attached on the right or the left side of said self-propulsiondevice.
 80. The self-propulsion device of claim 69 , further comprisinga groove clearing air spray device for clearing the pavement groove ofparticles.
 81. The self-propulsion device of claim 69 , furthercomprising a mist spray device for spraying water mist onto the pavementgroove.
 82. A pavement groove filling apparatus comprising: (a) a groutpreparation apparatus, wherein said grout preparation apparatuscomprises: (i) a product hopper for storing a dry particulate material,(ii) a grout mixer operatively connected to said product hopper formixing at least a portion of the dry particulate material with water toproduce the grout, (iii) a product dispensing device for dispensing atleast a portion of the dry particulate material from said product hopperto said grout mixer, and (iv) a surge hopper operatively connected tosaid grout mixer for storing the grout; and (b) a grout dispensingapparatus operatively connected to said grout preparation apparatus,wherein said grout dispensing apparatus comprises: (i) a grout hopperfor storing the grout, (ii) a material gate having open and closedpositions operatively connected to said grout hopper for dispensing thegrout from said grout hopper into a pavement groove when said materialgate is in the open position, (iii) a side form for confining the groutsubstantially within side boundaries of the pavement groove, and (iv) anextrusion pan for leveling the grout in the pavement groove.
 83. Thepavement groove filling apparatus of claim 82 , further comprising aself-propulsion device having an engine for self-propulsion and a swingarm, wherein said swing arm comprises a control panel for controllingoperations of said self-propulsion device, said grout preparationapparatus and said grout dispensing apparatus, and wherein said swingarm allows placement of said control panel on the right side or the leftside of said self-propulsion device.
 84. The pavement groove fillingapparatus of claim 83 , wherein said grout dispensing apparatus isremovably attached to said self-propulsion device, and wherein saidgrout dispensing apparatus can be attached on the right side or the leftside of said self-propulsion device.
 85. The pavement groove fillingapparatus of claim 82 , further comprising a grout temperature sensorfor determining the temperature of the grout in said surge hopper. 86.The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 85 , further comprising aproduct temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the dryparticulate material and a product heater operatively connected to saidproduct temperature sensor and to said grout temperature sensor forheating the dry particulate material.
 87. The pavement groove fillingapparatus of claim 85 , further comprising a water storage deviceoperatively connected to said grout mixer for storing water and a waterinlet operatively connected to said water storage device and said groutmixer for supplying water to said grout mixer.
 88. The pavement groovefilling apparatus of claim 87 , further comprising a water temperaturesensor for determining the temperature of water in said water storagedevice and a water heater operatively connected to said watertemperature sensor and to said grout temperature sensor for heatingwater.
 89. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 85 , whereinsaid grout mixer further comprises an additive inlet for adding theadditive to said grout mixer, wherein said additive inlet is operativelyconnected to said grout temperature sensor.
 90. The pavement groovefilling apparatus of claim 82 , wherein said surge hopper comprises asurge-hopper grout level sensor operatively connected to said groutmixer for controlling the production of grout.
 91. The pavement groovefilling apparatus of claim 82 , wherein said grout preparation apparatusfurther comprises a grout dispensing device for dispensing the groutfrom said surge hopper to said grout hopper.
 92. The pavement groovefilling apparatus of claim 91 , wherein said grout dispensing device isa peristaltic pump.
 93. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim91 , wherein said grout hopper comprises a grout-hopper grout levelsensor operatively connected to said grout dispensing device forcontrolling said grout dispensing device.
 94. The pavement groovefilling apparatus of claim 82 , wherein said grout dispensing apparatusfurther comprises a smoothing plate for smoothing the grout surface inthe pavement groove, and wherein said smoothing plate is operativelyconnected to a smoothing-plate vibrator which vibrates said smoothingplate.
 95. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 82 , whereinsaid grout dispensing apparatus further comprises a rollable supportsystem, wherein said rollable support system comprises a longitudinalbogey averaging system and a transversal bogey averaging system.
 96. Thepavement groove filling apparatus of claim 95 , further comprising alifting mechanism for lifting said grout dispensing apparatus off of apavement surface and a guiding device for guiding said grout dispensingapparatus into a proper pavement groove filling position.
 97. Thepavement groove filling apparatus of claim 82 , further comprising avisibility-enhancing agent applying device for applying and embedding avisibility-enhancing agent onto the grout surface in the pavementgroove.
 98. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 97 , furthercomprising a grout-surface air spray device for removing non-embeddedvisibility-enhancing agent from the grout surface in the pavement grooveand for further embedding the visibility-enhancing agent into the groutsurface.
 99. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 82 , furthercomprising a curing-agent applying device for applying a curing agentonto the grout surface in the pavement groove.
 100. The pavement groovefilling apparatus of claim 82 , further comprising a groove clearing airspray device for clearing the pavement groove of particles.
 101. Thepavement groove filling apparatus of claim 82 , further comprising amist spray device for spraying water mist onto the pavement groove. 102.A self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus comprising: (a) anengine for self-propulsion; (b) a groove clearing air spray device forclearing the pavement groove of particles; (c) a mist spray device forspraying water mist onto the pavement groove; (d) a product hopper forstoring a dry particulate material; (e) a product dispensing devicecomprising a dry product feed auger and a metering auger for dispensingat least a portion of the dry particulate material from said producthopper; (f) a water storage device; (g) an additive storage device; (h)a grout mixer operatively connected to said product dispensing devicefor mixing the dry particulate material with water to produce the grout;(i) a water inlet operatively connected to said water storage device foradding water to said grout mixer; (j) an additive inlet operativelyconnected to said additive storage device for adding an additive to saidgrout mixer; (k) a surge hopper operatively connected to said groutmixer for storing the grout; (l) a surge hopper grout agitator foragitating the grout in said surge hopper; (m) a grout dispensing deviceoperatively connected to said surge hopper for dispensing the grout fromsaid surge hopper; (n) a grout hopper operatively connected to saidgrout dispensing device for storing the grout; (o) a grout hopper groutagitator for maintaining homogeneity of the grout in said grout hopper;(p) a material gate having open and closed positions operativelyconnected to said grout hopper for dispensing the grout from said grouthopper into a pavement groove when said material gate is in the openposition; (q) a side form for confining the grout substantially withinside boundaries of the pavement groove; (r) an extrusion pan forleveling the grout in the pavement groove; (s) a smoothing plate forsmoothing the grout surface in the pavement groove; and (t) a guidingdevice for guiding said grout hopper and said material gate into aproper pavement groove filling position.
 103. The self-propelledpavement groove filling apparatus of claim 102 , further comprising acontrol panel operatively connected to said engine.
 104. Theself-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 103 , furthercomprising a swing arm, wherein said swing arm allows placement of saidcontrol panel on the right side or the left side of said self-propelledpavement groove filling apparatus.
 105. The self-propelled pavementgroove filling apparatus of claim 102 , wherein said product hoppercomprises a product hopper vibrator for vibrating said product hopperand a product-hopper air pad in the interior of said product hopper forproviding air flow into said product hopper to reduce the amount ofagglomerate formation of the dry particulate material.
 106. Theself-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 102 , furthercomprising a grout temperature sensor for determining the temperature ofgrout in said surge hopper.
 107. The self-propelled pavement groovefilling apparatus of claim 106 , further comprising a producttemperature sensor for determining the product of the dry particulatematerial and a product heater operatively connected to said producttemperature sensor and to said grout temperature sensor for heating thedry particulate material.
 108. The self-propelled pavement groovefilling apparatus of claim 106 , further comprising a water temperaturesensor and a water heater operatively connected to said watertemperature sensor and said grout temperature sensor for heating water.109. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 102 ,wherein said surge hopper comprises a surge-hopper grout level sensor,wherein said surge-hopper grout level sensor is operatively connected tosaid grout mixer, said additive inlet, said water inlet and said productdispensing device for controlling the production of grout.
 110. Theself-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 102 , whereinsaid grout hopper comprises a grout-hopper vibrator for vibrating saidgrout hopper.
 111. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatusof claim 102 , further comprising a smoothing-plate vibrator operativelyconnected to said smoothing plate for vibrating said smoothing plate.112. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 102 ,further comprising a visibility-enhancing agent applying device forapplying and embedding a visibility-enhancing agent onto the groutsurface in the pavement groove.
 113. The self-propelled pavement groovefilling apparatus of claim 112 , further comprising a grout-surface airspray device for removing non-embedded visibility-enhancing agent fromthe grout surface in the pavement groove and for further embedding thevisibility-enhancing agent into the grout surface.
 114. Theself-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 102 , furthercomprising a curing-agent spray device for spraying a curing agent ontothe grout surface in the pavement groove.
 115. The self-propelledpavement groove filling apparatus of claim 102 , further comprising arollable support system operatively connected to said grout hopper, saidmaterial gate, said side form, said extrusion pan and said smoothingplate.
 116. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus ofclaim 115 , wherein said rollable support system comprises alongitudinal bogey averaging system and a transversal bogey averagingsystem.
 117. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus ofclaim 116 , further comprising a lifting mechanism for lifting saidrollable support system off of a pavement surface.
 118. A method formaking a long-lasting pavement marking comprising the steps of: (a)removing a portion of the pavement to create a pavement groove; (b)placing grout in the pavement groove; (c) leveling the grout in thepavement groove to substantially the same level as the pavement; and (d)embedding a visibility-enhancing agent in the grout.
 119. The method ofclaim 118 , further comprising clearing the pavement groove of debrisbefore said step (b).
 120. The method of claim 118 , further comprisingapplying water to the pavement groove before said step (b).
 121. Themethod of claim 118 , wherein the grout is placed in the pavement grooveusing the apparatus of claim 1 .
 122. The method of claim 121 , furthercomprising aligning the side forms into the pavement groove.
 123. Themethod of claim 118 , wherein the visibility-enhancing agent is selectedfrom the group consisting of beads, glasses, ceramics, metals, andmixtures thereof.
 124. The method of claim 118 , further comprisingapplying a grout curing agent after said step (d).